Caitlin Clark had a wonderful Sunday afternoon.
The University of Iowa women’s basketball program made Clark’s career unforgettable by officially retiring her No. 22 jersey and hanging it in the rafters of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Clark, along with her family, witnessed the number being raised to the top of the facility.
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Former Iowa guard and current Indiana Fever WNBA player Caitlin Clark speaks during a news conference before the game between Iowa and USC, Feb. 2, 2025, in Iowa City. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Following the ceremony, Clark witnessed the Hawkeyes defeat No. 4 USC in one of the most significant wins of their season. Lucy Olsen scored 28 points and Addison O’Grady contributed 13 in the 76-69 triumphant victory. Iowa had a strong start with a 17-1 run but fell behind at halftime before rallying to secure the win.
Olsen and O’Grady were integral in Iowa’s fourth-quarter performance, contributing 23 of the team’s 25 points during the period.
JuJu Watkins, a rising star in women’s basketball, led the team with 27 points, five rebounds, and three assists. She played 40 minutes, going 8-of-22 from the field.
However, USC was unable to withstand Iowa’s comeback.
Prior to the game, Clark, who became college basketball’s all-time leading scorer, shared her thoughts on having her jersey retired.
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Southern California guard JuJu Watkins drives to the basket during the first half against Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
“I feel like I already have those butterflies in your stomach when you walk in here,” Clark expressed during a pregame press conference. “Not so much for a basketball game now, but obviously just to be around everybody and to enjoy this environment. I don’t have to go and compete for 40 minutes, even though I wish maybe I could. I think it will definitely be a little bit more emotional that I don’t have to compete.”
A full house of 14,998 spectators attended the game. Former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder, former teammates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White, and comedian David Letterman were among the attendees.
At the press conference, Clark reminisced about the team’s success during her tenure.
“The winning came because of the great culture that we had,” she remarked. “I hope that’s the thing that always stays intact because of the great coaching staff we have and the type of players that they are here.”
Commemorative towels for former Iowa guard and current Indiana Fever WNBA player Caitlin Clark are shown before her jersey retirement ceremony, Feb. 2, 2025, in Iowa City. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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“We had players that were selfless. We had players that didn’t care how many points you were going to score. They were going to do whatever they could for your teammates. They were going to hold their teammates accountable. And I think that’s a lost art in college these days, and you don’t always see that.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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